Wall heater



April 1 o. H. GARDNER Em. 3,245,397

WALL HEATER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 12, 1964 INVENTOR5 04 0 5? 1% 649mm? BY Jain/v 2 Jame/v0 flrrozviKf April 12, 1966 o. H. GARDNER ETAL 3,245,397

WALL HEATER Filed June 12, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR5 UL/Vii h. chem/:2 6 5 BY J iiP 2 Jun/v0 MAE ,drraplvt/i United States Patent 3,245,397 WALL HEATER Oliver H. Gardner, Orirrda, and Joseph R. Serrano, San Carlos, Califi, assignors to Pacific Industries, Inc. Filed June 12, 1964, Ser. No. 374,786 Claims. (Cl. 126116) Our invention relates primarily to heating devices intended for installation in the walls of buildings such as dwellings and the like and intended to occupy only a little more than the wall thickness. Heaters of this sort customarily consume gas fuel and are disposed to dissipate as much as possible of the heat derived from the gas combustion into the adjacent living area. They are customarily provided with vents to discharge the spent materials to the atmosphere.

It is an object of the invention to provide a wall heater which can readily be initially installed and permanently retained, yet which is easily accessible for inspection or service work, if necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall heater which can be installed and put into condition for operating with a small amount of virtually unskilled manual labor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall heater which is easily fabricated, transported, handled and operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Wall heater in which thermal stresses are not productive of objectionable acoustical effects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall heater which is simple and straightforward in its design and construction, yet which adequately fulfills its functions over a long period of time.

A further object of the invention is in general to improve wall heaters.

Other objects of the invention together with the foregoing are attained in the embodiment of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the wall heater of the invention, certain portions being removed and broken away to disclose the interior construction;

FIGURE 2 is a cross section, the planes of which are indicated by the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detail in cross section showing the interrelationship of certain of the parts during assembly and installation;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of a header;

FIGURE 5 is an isometric projection of part of the heater support and retaining means; and

FIGURE 6 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1.

Wall heaters pursuant to the present invention have been satisfactorily embodied in commercial form substantially as shown herein. The customary installation is in a wall 6 comprising a number of spaced-apart upright studs 7 and 8 of the customary kind resting on a floor 9. The studs are covered by a primary wall facing 11 and a secondary wall facing 12. Between the studs 7 and 8 is a recess 13 partially defined by cutting away the primary wall covering 11 to afford a horizontal boundary 14 across the top and two vertical boundaries 16 and 17 along the sides and extending to the floor 9.

Pursuant to the invention, there is initially installed in the wall and located within the recess 13 adjacent the upper portion thereof a header 21. This is preferably a sheet metal fabrication including a base plate 22 of substantially horizontal, rectangular configuration provided with a pair of stiffening ribs 23 and 24 upstanding therefrom. Secured to the base plate 22 are side brackets 26 ice and 27 spaced apart so as to fit neatly between the studs 7 and 8 and having suflicient stiffness to afford good support. The members 26 and 27 are provided with a number of openings 28 to receive nails 29 or comparable fastenings for securing the header in position between the studs and supporting the header thereon within the recess.

For use in initially positioning the header, the brackets 26 and 27 are each provided with a partially severed tongue 25 having a sharp point 30 turned at right angles thereto. The points are normally within the planes of the brackets. When the header is initially positioned, it slips into place between and against the studs. Hammer blows on the tongues 25 drive the points 30 into the wood and hold the header in place. Nails through the openings 28 alford additional and very firm support.

The base plate 22 of the header is centrally provided with an upstanding collar 31 of generally flattened, elliptical form surrounding a rectangular, centrally disposed flue opening 32. Adapted to rest on the base plate 22 and to overlap and be positioned by the upstanding collar 31 is a vent pipe 33 of some insulating material. This is any customary form of flue pipe. Extending upwardly into the collar 31 and surrounding the opening 32 is a resilient packing 34 usually of asbestos or asbestos containing material held in position by a sub-plate 36 included in the header and directed in a generally inward and upward direction to afford inclined packing flanges 37.

Also included in the header 21 is an outstanding ledge I and outwardly from the primary wall covering 11 to afford an inclined plate 42. The ledge includes a return bend 43 effective to afford increased stiffness. A deflector plate 44 extends outwardly from the header in a horizontal plane.

Designed to fit within the recess 13 is a heater housing 51. This is a generally rectangular enclosure of metal having a heat exchange surface 52. The heat exchange surface is preferably made as shown in Baeza Patent 2,866,449 with rib sections at opposite angles on the front and back faces and containing burner mechanism 53 of the customary sort, not disclosed in detail. The burner mechanism is connected to a gas supply pipe 54 through a conductor 56 controlled by a hand valve 57 and is also provided with appropriate automatic control equipment 58 all arranged below the housing 51 and supported thereon to be handled as a unit therewith. The heater housing 51 does not itself extend entirely to the floor 9. To provide appropriate supports, the housing on opposite sides is secured to vertical legs 61 and 62. These are preferably identical parts applied to the housing in reverse symmetry and connected thereto by lines of welding 63 (FIGURE 5). Each of the legs is a ribbed support having an appropriate offset 64 therein and terminates in a foot 66 and an intermediate securing pad 67. The securing pads 67 are offset and spaced so as to fit between and closely against the studs 7 and 8. Stated differently, the outside dimension across the legs at the pads 67 is substantially the same as that of the header 21. The legs, particularly the securing pads 67, are pierced by a plurality of apertures 68 to receive nails 69 or other appropriate fasteners.

Secured to each of the legs, preferably by spot welding, are identical, similarly directed guide projections 71. Each of these is a bracket outstanding from the primary wall covering 11 and is provided with a turned flange 72. The flanges on the two guide projections are symmetrical and oppositely directed to end in cam surfaces 73. The amount of extension of 'the guide projections is substantially as shown in FIGURE 6, suflicient to extend slightly beyond the outer surface of the primary wall covering 11 to leave an intervening gap. The cam surface 73 is somewhat conical and follows a generally arcuate configuration, being inclined inwardly and downwardly toward the primary wall covering 11 and laterally and downwardly toward the sides of the unit.

At the top of the heater housing 51 there is an upwardly extending, substantially rectangular vent pipe 76 of somewhat less dimension than the opening 32 but slightly larger than the approaching portions of the flanges 37.

In the installation of this wall heater, the header is initially positioned and fastened to the studs as described and the flue pipe 33 is supported thereon. The heater housing 51 with its appurtenant parts is then disposed with its lower end outwardly in the room on or near the floor. The unit is tilted toward the wall and the vent pipe 76 is introduced at an angle, as shown in FIGURE 3, through the vent opening 32. The lower portion of the heater housing 51. is swung into the recess. The legs may rest directly upon the floor, the feet 66 providing a good support, or, if desired, the legs may be positioned a substantial distance above the floor with the feet 66 not bearing any of the load. Thus it is possible to position the heater housing above a base board or at a considerable distance above the floor to meet various installation requirements or preferences. During this time, the vent pipe 76 is rocked and forced upwardly past the yielding packing flanges 37 until the vent pipe 76 extends upwardly into the interior of the pipe 33 well above the upper edge of the collar 31. These movements are continued until the heater housing is substantially upright, as shown in FIGURE 2. Thereupon the leg pads 67 are secured in position by driving one or two nails through the apertures 68 into the adjacent upright studs. Then the gas and control connections are made.

Finally, a heater casing 81 is provided. This is a generally rectangular enclosure fabricated of metal. Air circulation openings are included therein. The casing includes a front panel 82 generally planar in extent but having a flanged opening 83 at the bottom thereof to receive a closure 84. A tongue 86 lies behind the opening flange and the closure has a lower spring flange 87 with dimples 88 overlying appropriate projections 89 in the lower flange 91 defining the opening. The heater casing has an approximately horizontal top panel 92 and side panels 93 and 94 to provide a substantially complete enclosure when the heater casing is adjacent the primary wall covering 11. The top panel 92 is terminated in a downturned flange 96, whereas the side panels 93 and 94 are terminated by inturned flanges 97 and 98. The inherent design of the heater casing is such that it can be installed quickly and easily and against a wall of any thickness. The heater casing has the necessary attachments, such as flanges, to fit the header and the legs. It also has a unique door arrangement and is made of springy metal so that the side pieces can be moved outwardly by hand in order to engage the leg pieces and to be able to be slipped down behind the leg pieces to grip them from behind and from the sides. The heater casing is made of one piece with the exception of the door. The purpose of this is to reduce noise generated by separate parts sliding over each other due to differences in expansion or contraction because of diflerences in temperature.

After the heater housing has been installed as described, the heater casing is manually brought near final position and the inturned flanges 97 and 98 are introduced into the gaps intervening between the guide projections and the primary wall covering 11. This action is assisted by resting the lower corners of the inturned flanges 97 and 98 upon the inwardly and downwardly directed cam surfaces 73 as the casing is lowered. The flanges are thus guided easily into the receiving gaps. The material of the heater casing, being metal, is somewhat springy. The side walls 93 and 94 can be fabricated with a slight initial convergence. When the heater casing is installed as described, not only do the flanges 97 and 98 cam into position, but also the side panels 93 and 94 are sprung toward the extreme portions of the flanges 72. The side panels 93 and 94 come to rest finally in correctly spaced apart, substantially parallel position with the flanges 97 and 98 snugly against the primary wall covering 11 and with the parts appropriately confined.

Just before the casing is finally lowered toward the floor, the flange 96 is rested upon the downwardly and inwardly inclined plate 42 of the ledge 41 on the header. The heater casing then in lowering by gravity or manually into final position shifts downwardly and inwardly so that the flange 96 rides into the lowermost and innermost position on the header and against the primary wall covering, as shown in FIGURE 2. This arrangement holds the heater casing in final position by gravity and without any tight restraint. This is because the header forms a wedge channel which in turn positions the front panel against the wall and holds it there snugly due to the weight of the panel working into the wedge space. Access to the operating parts of the control mechanism is readily had by removal of the closure 84, but if desired the entire heater casing can readily be detached for inspection of other parts of the interior mechanism. The heater casing thus remains in position for normal use but can easily be removed, if necessary. Despite the fact that the heater casing is alternately heated and cooled in use, the casing is not so confined as to give rise to sudden acoustic effects or sharp and sudden noises due to thermal strains in the metal.

In practical instances it has been determined that the entire mounting is sufficiently simple and easy of accomplishment as to require no highly skilled labor and to be easily effected in something under three working minutes. The installation when made is permanent if desired, although the unit can without difliculty be removed and reinstalled elsewhere.

What is claimed is:

1. A wall heater comprising a header having a vent aperture therein, a ledge on said header inclined downwardly toward said vent aperture, means on said header adapted to secure said header to a wall, a heater housing, a vent at the top of said heater housing slidably receivable in said aperture, legs at the bottom of said heater housing, guide projections on said legs, a heater casing adapted to overlie said recess, a top flange on said heater casing adapted to rest on said ledge and side flanges on said heater casing adapted to be disposed behind said guide projections.

2. A wall heater adapted to fit a recess in a wall comprising a header having a vent aperture therein and adapted to be disposed at the top of said recess, a ledge on said header extending in an outward direction relative to said vent aperture and inclined downwardly toward said vent aperture, a heater housing, a vent at the top of said heater housing slidably receivable in said aperture, legs at the bottom of said heater housing, guide projections on said legs extending outwardly from said legs, a heater casing adapted to overlie said recess, a top flange on said heater casing adapted to rest on said inclined ledge, and side flanges on said heater casing adapted to be disposed behind said guide projections.

3. A wall heater comprising a header having a vent opening therein, resilient packing on said header around said opening, a ledge on said header extending in an outward direction relative to said vent opening and inclined downwardly toward said vent opening, a heater housing, a vent projecting upwardly from the top of said heater housing and slidably receivable in said aperture through said packing, legs at the bottom of said heater housing, guide projections on said legs extending outwardly from said legs and spaced a predetermined distance apart, a heater casing adapted to overlie said recess, a top flange on said heater casing adapted to rest on said ledge, side walls on said heater casing adapted to rest against said guide projections, and side flanges on said heater casing adapted to be disposed behind said guide projections.

4. A wall heater comprising a header having an upstanding collar thereon defining a vent aperture, packing on said header surrounding and projecting partially into said aperture, a ledge on said header extending in an outward direction relative to said vent aperture, a heater housing, a vent projecting upwardly from the top of said heater housing and slidably receivable in said aperture through said packing, legs at the bottom of said heater housing, guide projections on said legs extending outwardly from said legs, a heater casing adapted to overlie said recess, and means on said heater casing adapted to engage said ledge and said guide projections for supporting and positioning said heater casing on said header and said legs.

5. A wall heater comprising a header having a vent aperture, a ledge on said header extending in an outward and upward direction relative to said aperture, means on said header adapted to secure said header to a wall, a heater housing a vent projecting upwardly from the top of said heater housing and slidably receivable through said vent aperture, means at the bottom of said heater housing for hearing the weight of said heater housing, guide projections on said weight bearing means extending outwardly from said weight bearing means and having turned flanges at the ends thereof, a heater casing adapted to overlie said recess, means on said heater casing adapted to rest on said ledge for supporting said heater casing on said header, and means on said heater casing adapted to be engaged with said flanges on said guide projections for retaining said heater casing adjacent said guide projections.

' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,726,654 12/1955 Thompson 126-116 2,808,825 10/1957 Solomon 126 116 JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WALL HEATER COMPRISING A HEADER HAVING A VENT APERTURE THEREIN, A LEDGE ON SAID HEADER INCLINED DOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID VENT APERTURE, MENS ON SAID HEADER ADAPTED TO SECURE SAID HEADER TO A WALL, A HEATER HOUSING, A VENT AT THE TOP OF SAID HEATER HOUSING SLIDABLY RECEIVABLE IN SAID APERTURE, LEGS AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID HEATER HOUSING, GUIDE PROJECTION ON SAID LEGS, A HEATER CASING ADAPTED TO OVERLIE SAID RECESS, A TOP FLANGE ON SAID HEATER CASING ADAPTED TO REST ON SAID LEDGE AND SIDE FLANGES ON SAID HEATER CASING ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED BEHINED SAID GUIDE PROJECTIONS. 